Systems and methods for alignment and detection of a consumable component

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for alignment and detection of a consumable component are disclosed herein. For example, a method for determining if a consumable component is coupled to a durable component to enable dispersion of a medicine is provided. The method includes determining if a signal from an electrical contact coupled to a durable component has changed an electrical state, and comparing the signal to a reference signal from a second electrical component coupled to the durable component. The method includes sampling a sensor coupled to the durable component to acquire sensor data indicative of a magnetic field observed by the sensor, and outputting data that a consumable component is coupled to the durable component if the signal is different than the reference signal, and the sensor data is within an acceptable range.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/678,245, filed on Nov. 15, 2012, and the relevant content of theabove application is incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate generally tofluid infusion devices for delivering a medication fluid to the body ofa user. More particularly, embodiments of the subject matter relate tosystems and methods for the alignment and detection of a consumablecomponent, such as a base plate for use with a fluid infusion device.

BACKGROUND

Certain diseases or conditions may be treated, according to modernmedical techniques, by delivering a medication or other substance to thebody of a patient, either in a continuous manner or at particular timesor time intervals within an overall time period. For example, diabetesis commonly treated by delivering defined amounts of insulin to thepatient at appropriate times. Some common modes of providing insulintherapy to a patient include delivery of insulin through manuallyoperated syringes and insulin pens. Other modern systems employprogrammable fluid infusion devices (e.g., insulin pumps) to delivercontrolled amounts of insulin to a patient.

A fluid infusion device suitable for use as an insulin pump may berealized as an external device or an implantable device, which issurgically implanted into the body of the patient. External fluidinfusion devices include devices designed for use in a generallystationary location (for example, in a hospital or clinic), and devicesconfigured for ambulatory or portable use (to be carried by a patient).

In certain instances, the devices configured for portable use caninclude multiple components that cooperate to deliver the insulin to thepatient. For example, the device can include a consumable, generallysingle use, component and a durable, repeated use, component. In oneexample, the consumable component can be coupled to the durablecomponent to enable insulin delivery to the patient.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system and method for thealignment and detection of a removable and replaceable consumablecomponent that is couplable to a durable component to ensure properinsulin delivery. Furthermore, other desirable features andcharacteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detaileddescription and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments of systems and methods for alignment and detectionof a consumable component are provided here. For example, a method fordetermining if a consumable component is coupled to a durable componentto enable dispersion of a medicine is provided. The method can includedetermining if a signal from an electrical contact coupled to a durablecomponent has changed an electrical state, and comparing the signal to areference signal from a second electrical component coupled to thedurable component. The method can also include that if the signal isdifferent than the reference signal, sampling a sensor coupled to thedurable component to acquire sensor data indicative of a magnetic fieldobserved by the sensor, and outputting data that a consumable componentis coupled to the durable component if the signal is different than thereference signal, and the sensor data is within an acceptable range.

According to various exemplary embodiments, provided is a method fordetermining if a consumable component is coupled to a durable componentto enable dispersion of a medicine. The method can include comparing afirst signal from a first electrical contact coupled to the durablecomponent and a second signal from a second electrical contact coupledto the durable component to a reference signal from a third electricalcontact coupled to the durable component to determine if the consumablecomponent has contacted the durable component. The method can alsoinclude if at least one of the first signal and the second signal haschanged electrical state while the reference signal has remainedsubstantially the same, sampling a sensor coupled to the durablecomponent to acquire sensor data indicative of a magnetic field emittedby a magnetic source on the consumable component. The method can includecomparing the acquired sensor data to calibrated sensor data, andoutputting data that a consumable component is coupled to the durablecomponent if at least one of the first signal and the second signal haschanged electrical states and the acquired sensor data is within anacceptable range based on the calibrated sensor data.

Further provided according to various exemplary embodiments is a fluidinfusion device for dispersion of a medicine. The fluid infusion devicecan include a consumable component including a source of a magneticfield, and a durable component. The durable component can include afirst electrical contact, a second electrical contact and a thirdelectrical contact. The first electrical contact and third electricalcontact can have a first electrical state when the consumable componentis spaced apart from the durable component and a second electrical statewhen the consumable component is coupled to the durable component. Thedurable component can include a sensor that observes the magnetic fieldemitted by the source. The fluid infusion device can also include acontact control module that receives a first signal that indicates ifthe first electrical contact and third electrical contact are in thefirst electrical state or the second electrical state, and a secondsignal from the second electrical contact. Based on the first signal andthe second signal, the contact control module can set contact data thatindicates if the consumable component is in contact with the durablecomponent. The fluid infusion device can include an alignment controlmodule that receives the contact data, and based on the contact datasamples the sensor to acquire sensor data. The alignment control modulecan output connection data that indicates whether the consumablecomponent is coupled to the durable component based on the contact dataand the sensor data.

Also provided, is a method for determining if a consumable component iscoupled to a durable component to enable dispersion of a medicine. Themethod comprises determining that a signal from a first electricalcontact coupled to a durable component has changed an electrical stateand comparing the signal to a reference signal from a second electricalcontact coupled to the durable component. The method also includesdetermining that the signal is different than the reference signal andsampling a sensor coupled to the durable component to acquire sensordata indicative of a magnetic field observed by the sensor based on thedetermination that the signal is different than the reference signal.The method includes determining that the sensor data is within anacceptable range and outputting data that the consumable component iscoupled to the durable component based on the determination that thesignal is different than the reference signal and the sensor data iswithin the acceptable range. The durable component is an insulininfusion device having a fluid reservoir for holding insulin and theconsumable component is a base plate, with the base plate cooperatingwith the insulin infusion device to enable dispersion of the insulin.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the subject matter may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numbersrefer to similar elements throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluidinfusion device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary durable housing of thefluid infusion device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary base plate of the fluidinfusion device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a base plate detectionsystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a dataflow diagram illustrating a control system of the baseplate detection system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the base platedetection system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the base platedetection system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the base platedetection system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature andis not intended to limit the embodiments of the subject matter or theapplication and uses of such embodiments. As used herein, the word“exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.”Any implementation described herein as exemplary is not necessarily tobe construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed orimplied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,brief summary or the following detailed description.

Certain terminology may be used in the following description for thepurpose of reference only, and thus are not intended to be limiting. Forexample, terms such as “first”, “second”, and other such numerical termsreferring to structures do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Such terminology may include the wordsspecifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similarimport.

As used herein, the term module refers to any hardware, software,firmware, electronic control component, processing logic, and/orprocessor device, individually or in any combination, including withoutlimitation: application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), anelectronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memorythat executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinationallogic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide thedescribed functionality.

The following description relates to a fluid infusion device of the typeused to treat a medical condition of a patient. The infusion device canbe used for infusing fluid into the body of a user. The non-limitingexamples described below relate to a medical device used to treatdiabetes (more specifically, an insulin pump), although embodiments ofthe disclosed subject matter are not so limited. Accordingly, theinfused medication fluid is insulin in certain embodiments. Inalternative embodiments, however, many other fluids may be administeredthrough infusion such as, but not limited to, disease treatments, drugsto treat pulmonary hypertension, iron chelation drugs, pain medications,anti-cancer treatments, medications, vitamins, hormones, or the like.For the sake of brevity, conventional features and characteristicsrelated to infusion system operation, insulin pump and/or infusion setoperation, fluid reservoirs, and fluid syringes may not be described indetail here. Examples of infusion pumps and/or related pump drivesystems used to administer insulin and other medications may be of thetype described in, but not limited to: United States patent applicationnumber 2009/0299290 A1; United States patent application number2008/0269687; U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,764; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,868 (theentire content of these patent documents is incorporated by referenceherein).

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fluidinfusion device 100. In one example, the fluid infusion device 100 caninclude two primary components, which can be removably coupled to eachother: a first durable component or durable housing 102 and a secondconsumable component or base plate 104, which is also shown in FIG. 3.It should be noted that although the housing 102 is described herein asbeing a durable, multiple use component, the housing 102 can be aconsumable, single use component in certain embodiments. Similarly,although the base plate 104 is described herein as comprising aconsumable, single use component, the base plate 104 can be a durable,multiple use component in certain embodiments. The fluid infusion device100 can also include or cooperate with a removable/replaceable fluidreservoir 106 (FIG. 2). For the illustrated embodiment, the fluidreservoir 106 can mate with, and can be received by, the durable housing102. Alternatively, the fluid reservoir 106 can mate with, and can bereceived by, the base plate 104. The fluid reservoir 106 can hold orstore insulin, which can be dispensed with the fluid infusion device100.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates the durablehousing 102 and the base plate 104 coupled together. The durable housing102 and the base plate 104 are cooperatively configured to accommodateremovable coupling of the durable housing 102 to the base plate 104. Inpractice, the durable housing 102 and/or the base plate 104 can includefeatures, structures, or elements to facilitate removable coupling(e.g., pawls, latches, rails, slots, keyways, buttons, or the like). Theremovable nature of the durable housing 102 enables the patient toreplace the fluid reservoir 106 as needed. Moreover, the durable housing102 can be removed (while leaving the base plate 104 adhered to thepatient) to allow the patient to swim, shower, bathe, and participate inother activities that might otherwise damage or contaminate the durablehousing 102. When the durable housing 102 is removed from the base plate104, the fluid flow path is broken, and the base plate 104 will appearas shown in FIG. 3.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the base plate 104 is shown ingreater detail. The base plate 104 can be temporarily adhered to theskin of the patient using, for example, an adhesive layer of material.After the base plate 104 is affixed to the skin of the patient, asuitably configured insertion device or apparatus may be used to inserta fluid delivery needle or cannula 108 (see FIG. 1) into the body of thepatient. The cannula 108 can function as one part of the fluid deliverypath associated with the fluid infusion device 100, as is wellunderstood. With continued reference to FIG. 3, the base plate 104 caninclude a shorting mechanism 110, a first magnetic source 112 and afirst magnetically attractive source 114.

The shorting mechanism 110 can cooperate with at least one electricalcontact 116 coupled to or disposed on a portion of the durable housing102 to enable the durable housing 102 to detect that the base plate 104is coupled to the durable housing 102, as will be discussed in greaterdetail herein. In one example, with reference to FIG. 2, the durablehousing 102 can include a first electrical contact 116 a, a secondelectrical contact 116 b and a third electrical contact 116 c. It shouldbe noted, however, that the durable housing 102 can include any suitablenumber of electrical contacts 116, which can cooperate with the shortingmechanism 110. The electrical contacts 116 can be made of any suitablematerial such as metal, a rubber conductive pad, as well as any otherelectrical conductor. The second electrical contact 116 b can be made ofthe same material as the first electrical contact 116 a and/or the thirdelectrical contact 116 c. In other embodiments, the second electricalcontact 116 b may be made of a different material (e.g., a differentconductive material, or a non-conductive material) from the firstelectrical contact 116 a and/or the third electrical contact 116 c.

In addition, the second electrical contact 116 b need not be limited tobeing arranged in between the first electrical contact 116 a and thirdelectrical contact 116 c, but can also be arranged to be the outermostelectrical contact in some embodiments. As such, the electrical contacts116 (e.g., first electrical contact 116 a, second electrical contact 116b and third electrical contact 116 c) can be arranged or otherwiseprovided on the durable housing 102 in any suitable manner, for examplelinearly/non-linearly, equidistant/non-equidistant, similar/varyingheights, arranged on similar/varying surfaces, same/differentresistances, same/different materials, and/or the like. Further, in someembodiments, a bias member, such as a spring, or the like, may beprovided to bias the electrical contacts 116 either individually,partially (e.g., some, but not all), or collectively toward a firstposition (e.g., an extended position). As such, the electrical contacts116 may be moveable toward a second position (e.g., a retractedposition), for example, as the durable housing 102 and the base plate104 are brought together.

In some embodiments, the second electrical contact 116 b can be arrangedbetween the first electrical contact 116 a and the third electricalcontact 116 c to prevent a false detection of a proper connection of thedurable housing 102 and the base plate 104. For example, the durablehousing 102 can distinguish between a case where a stray metal object(e.g., a metal key, paper clip, coin) or other electrical conductorcontacts the first electrical contact 116 a, the third electricalcontact 116 c, and the second electrical contact 116 b as opposed to aproper connection where only the first electrical contact 116 a and thethird electrical contact 116 c are contacted (by the shorting mechanism110).

With reference to FIG. 3, in one exemplary embodiment, the shortingmechanism 110 can establish an electrical connection with the firstelectrical contact 116 a and third electrical contact 116 c in a casewhere the durable housing 102 and the base plate 104 are connectedproperly or otherwise brought into a pre-defined, sufficiently alignedposition and/or in a pre-defined, sufficiently close proximity. Thepredefined aligned position and/or proximity, for example, cancorrespond to a properly aligned and mutually proximate position forconnection of the durable housing 102 and the base plate 104 foroperation. Generally, the shorting mechanism 110 can be composed of asuitable metallic material. Thus, when the shorting mechanism 110 iscoupled to the first electrical contact 116 a and third electricalcontact 116 c, the shorting mechanism 110 can complete a circuit formedthe first electrical contact 116 a, the third electrical contact 116 cand the shorting mechanism 110. The resistance of the shorting mechanism110 can be such that upon completion of this circuit, a voltage appliedbetween the first electrical contact 116 a and third electrical contact116 c can be measured or observed as a lower voltage signal than avoltage signal measured or observed when the base plate 104 is notattached.

In one example, the shorting mechanism 110 can include a first end 110 agenerally spaced apart from a second end 110 b. In certain embodiments,the first end 110 a and the second end 110 b can contact the firstelectrical contact 116 a and the third electrical contact 116 crespectively when the durable housing 102 and the base plate 104 areconnected properly, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. As such, theshorting mechanism 110 can contact the first electrical contact 116 aand the third electrical contact 116 c, but not the second electricalcontact 116 b. Suitable circuitry (not shown) connected to theelectrical contacts 116 can detect an electrical connection or shortbetween the first electrical contact 116 a and the third electricalcontact 116 c (via the shorting mechanism 110) indicating a properconnection of the durable housing 102 and the base plate 104.

Furthermore, the electrical contacts 116 and/or the shorting mechanism110 can be arranged on their respective parts such that in a case wherethe durable housing 102 and the base plate 104 are not properlyconnected, an electrical connection between the first electrical contact116 a and the third electrical contact 116 c cannot be established.Accordingly, this can indicate that the durable housing 102 and the baseplate 104 have not been connected properly.

In some embodiments, an electrical connection will only be establishedwhen the first end 110 a contacts the first electrical contact 116 a andthe second end 110 b contacts the third electrical contact 116 c. Inother embodiments, an electrical connection may be established in a casewhere the first end 110 a and the second end 110 b contact the thirdelectrical contact 116 c and the first electrical contact 116 arespectively. Such embodiments can allow for a detection of a properconnection of the durable housing 102 and the base plate 104 in morethan one orientation.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the shorting mechanism 110 has thefirst end 110 a and second end 110 b for contacting the first electricalcontact 116 a and the third electrical contact 116 c, respectively.However, in various other embodiments, the shorting mechanism 110 can beprovided with any suitable number of ends or contact surfaces forcontacting the electrical contacts 116 as required. Similarly, the firstend 110 a and second end 110 b can be arranged on shorting mechanism 110in any suitable manner. As a further alternative, the shorting mechanism110 can comprise a piece of wire, or any suitable arrangement ofmetallic material coupled to the base plate 104 that can cause anelectrical short when the base plate 104 is coupled to the durablehousing 102.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical contacts 116 can beprovided on the durable housing 102 and the shorting mechanism 110 canbe provided on the base plate 104. In other embodiments, the electricalcontacts 116 can be provided on the base plate 104 and the shortingmechanism 110 can be provided on the durable housing 102. In furtherembodiments, each of the durable housing 102 and the base plate 104 canbe provided with a shorting mechanism 110 and complementing electricalcontacts 116.

In addition or in alternative to the above, in some embodiments, a biasmember, such as a spring, or the like, may be provided to bias theshorting mechanism or portion thereof (e.g., first end 110 a and secondend 110 b) toward a first position (e.g., an extended position). Assuch, shorting mechanism or portion thereof may be moveable toward asecond position (e.g., a retracted position), for example, as thedurable housing 102 and the base plate 104 are brought together. Thus,while in the second position, an electrical connection may beestablished between the first electrical contact 116 a and the thirdelectrical contact 116 c via the shorting mechanism 110 in a similarmanner to that previously described.

In various embodiments, the electrical contacts 116 and/or the shortingmechanism 110 may be or otherwise comprise a bias member like thatpreviously described. For example, the electrical contacts 116 and/orthe shorting mechanism 110 can be metal springs or the like that may bemoveable from the first position to the second position as the durablehousing 102 and the base plate 104 are brought together.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the first magnetic source 112 of thebase plate 104 can comprise any suitable source of a magnetic field,including, but not limited to, a ferromagnetic material. The firstmagnetic source 112 can be coupled to the base plate 104 so as to bespaced a selected distance apart from the first magnetically attractivesource 114. The spacing between the first magnetic source 112 and thefirst magnetically attractive source 114 can aid in the alignment andcoupling of the durable housing 102 to the base plate 104. In thisregard, the first magnetic source 112 can be positioned on the baseplate 104 so as to attract a portion of the durable housing 102, and thefirst magnetically attractive source 114 can be positioned so as toattract a portion of the durable housing 102, as will be discussedherein. In one example, the first magnetically attractive source 114 cancomprise a metal, but could comprise any magnetically attractivematerial. It should be noted that the use of the first magneticallyattractive source 114 is merely exemplary, as the base plate 104 couldcomprise a second magnet, which could also attract a portion of thedurable housing 102. Further, although the first magnetic source 112 andfirst magnetically attractive source 114 are described herein asattracting portions of the durable housing 102, the first magneticsource 112 and first magnetically attractive source 114 could alsooppose portions of the durable housing 102, which could indicatemisalignment of the durable housing 102 relative to the base plate 104.In addition, the location of the first magnetic source 112 and firstmagnetically attractive source 114 on the base plate 104 is merelyexemplary.

With reference to FIG. 2, the durable housing 102 can include theelectrical contacts 116, a second magnetic source 118, a secondmagnetically attractive source 120 and a base plate detection system122. Further, the durable housing 102 can include, among othercomponents, a drive motor, a battery, a threaded drive shaft for thefluid reservoir, and suitable circuitry to control those components.Further detail regarding these components can be found in commonlyassigned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0160655, U.S. PatentPublication No. 2011/0160654, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0160666,and U.S. Pat. No. 7,905,868, each of which is incorporated by referenceherein.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, generally, the first electricalcontact 116 a and third electrical contact 116 c can have a firstelectrical state when the base plate 104 is spaced apart from thedurable housing 102, and can have a second electrical state when thebase plate 104 is coupled to the durable housing 102. In this regard,the electrical contacts 116 can be electrically coupled to the baseplate detection system 122, which can supply the electrical contacts 116with a respective voltage through suitable circuitry. The voltage can beapplied to the electrical contacts 116 at predetermined intervals, orcould be supplied substantially continuously. In one example, the firstelectrical contact 116 a and third electrical contact 116 c can comprisean open circuit, and can be measured or observed to have a generallyhigh voltage signal when the durable housing 102 is not coupled to thebase plate 104. When the shorting mechanism 110 contacts the firstelectrical contact 116 a and third electrical contact 116 c to completethe circuit, the first electrical contact 116 a and third electricalcontact 116 c can be measured or observed to have a low voltage signal.Thus, the first electrical contact 116 a and third electrical contact116 c can serve as interrupt contacts, which can signal contact or aninterruption in the contact between the base plate 104 and durablehousing 102. The second electrical contact 116 b can have a high voltagesignal when the durable housing 102 is spaced apart from and coupled tothe base plate 104. Therefore, the second electrical contact 116 b canserve as a reference contact. The electrical contacts 116 can be incommunication with the base plate detection system 122 to enable thebase plate detection system 122 to determine if the base plate 104 iscoupled to the durable housing 102 based on the voltage signals receivedfrom the electrical contacts 116.

In this regard, the base plate detection system 122 can compare themeasured or observed voltage from each of the electrical contacts 116against a preselected threshold voltage. If a first voltage signal fromthe first electrical contact 116 a, a second voltage signal from thesecond electrical contact 116 b and/or a third voltage signal from thethird electrical contact 116 c is greater than the threshold voltage,then the first voltage signal, second voltage signal and third voltagesignals can be considered high voltage signals. If the first voltagesignal from the first electrical contact 116 a, the second voltagesignal from the second electrical contact 116 b and/or the third voltagesignal from the third electrical contact 116 c is less than thethreshold voltage, then the first voltage signal, second voltage signaland third voltage signals can be considered low voltage signals.Generally, the threshold voltage can range from about 0.1 volts (V) toabout 1.0 volts (V). It should be noted that the comparison of the firstvoltage signal, second voltage signal and third voltage signal to thethreshold voltage is merely exemplary, as the first voltage signal,second voltage signal and third voltage signal could be individualdiscrete voltage measurements, which could be compared relative to eachother or to a ground to determine whether the base plate 104 is coupledto the durable housing 102.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the durable housing 102 can includethe second magnetic source 118. The second magnetic source 118 cancomprise any suitable source of a magnetic field, such as aferromagnetic material, an electromagnet, etc. The second magneticsource 118 can be coupled to the durable housing 102 so that the secondmagnetic source 118 is aligned with and attracted to the firstmagnetically attractive source 114 when the durable housing 102 is beingcoupled to the base plate 104. The attraction between the secondmagnetic source 118 and the first magnetically attractive source 114 canaid in coupling the durable housing 102 to the base plate 104. Thesecond magnetic source 118 can be spaced a selected distance apart fromthe second magnetically attractive source 120.

The second magnetically attractive source 120 of the durable housing 102can comprise a metal, but could comprise any magnetically attractivematerial. The second magnetically attractive source 120 can be coupledto the durable housing 102 so that the second magnetically attractivesource 120 can be coupled to the first magnetic source 112 when thedurable housing 102 is coupled to the base plate 104. The attractionbetween the first magnetic source 112 and the second magneticallyattractive source 120 can also aid in the alignment and coupling of thedurable housing 102 to the base plate 104.

It should be noted that the use of the second magnetically attractivesource 120 is merely exemplary, as the durable housing 102 couldcomprise a second magnet, which could also attract a portion of the baseplate 104. Further, although the second magnetic source 118 and secondmagnetically attractive source 120 are described herein as attractingportions of the base plate 104, the second magnetic source 118 andsecond magnetically attractive source 120 could also oppose portions ofthe base plate 104, which could indicate misalignment of the durablehousing 102 relative to the base plate 104. In addition, although thedurable housing 102 and base plate 104 are described and illustratedherein as each including a respective magnetic source and magneticallyattractive material, one of the durable housing 102 and base plate 104can include magnetic sources and the other of the durable housing 102and base plate 104 can include the magnetically attractive materials tofacilitate coupling the base plate 104 to the durable housing 102.Moreover, the location of the second magnetic source 118 and secondmagnetically attractive source 120 on the durable housing 102 is merelyexemplary.

With reference to FIG. 4, a functional block diagram illustrates anexemplary base plate detection system 122 according to one of variousembodiments. The base plate detection system 122 can determine if thebase plate 104 is properly coupled to the durable housing 102. In thisexemplary embodiment, the base plate detection system 122 can include apower supply 123, a comparator circuit 124, a timer 126, an audibledevice 128, a visual device 130, a tactile device 132, a data store 134,at least one sensor 136, a processor 138 and a memory device 140. Itshould be noted that although the base plate detection system 122 isdescribed and illustrated herein as being associated with the durablehousing 102, the base plate detection system 122 can be associated withthe base plate 104, if desired.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the power supply 123 can supplypower to one or more components of the base plate detection system 122and durable housing 102. In one example, the power supply 123 can be incommunication with the processor 138 to supply a voltage to theelectrical contacts 116. The power supply 123 can comprise any suitablepower source, including, but not limited to, a battery. It should benoted that although the power supply 123 is described and illustratedherein as being separate and discrete from the processor 138, the powersupply 123 can be integral with the processor 138 if desired.

The comparator circuit 124 can be in communication with the electricalcontacts 116 of the durable housing 102. In one example, the comparatorcircuit 124 can receive as input a first voltage signal 142 of the firstelectrical contact 116 a and a third voltage signal 146 of the thirdelectrical contact 116 c. Based on the first voltage signal 142 and thethird voltage signal 146, the comparator circuit 124 can output a fourthvoltage signal 148 for the processor 138. The fourth voltage signal 148can comprise an indication as to whether the shorting mechanism 110 hascontacted the first electrical contact 116 a and third electricalcontact 116 c. As will be discussed herein, the fourth voltage signal148 can be used as an interrupt signal and can be compared against asecond voltage signal 144 of the second electrical contact 116 b, whichcan serve as a reference signal, to determine if the base plate 104 iscoupled to the durable housing 102.

The timer 126 can comprise any suitable device capable of timing events.The timer 126 can comprise suitable logic and circuitry for timingevents as is generally known in the art. The timer 126 can be incommunication with the processor 138. Although the timer 126 isillustrated and described herein as being separate and discrete from theprocessor 138, the timer 126 could be integrated into the processor 138,if desired.

The audible device 128 can be in communication with the processor 138,and can enable an audible alert to be broadcast to the user uponcoupling of the base plate 104 to the durable housing 102. The audibledevice 128 can comprise any suitable technology for broadcasting audibleinformation, such as a speaker. It should be noted that although theaudible device 128 is illustrated herein as being internal to thedurable housing 102, the audible device 128 can also be an externalspeaker coupled to or in communication with the durable housing 102,such as a speaker on a hand held blood glucose meter, for example.

The visual device 130 can be in communication with the processor 138,and can enable a visual alert to be displayed to the user upon couplingof the base plate 104 to the durable housing 102. The visual device 130can comprise any suitable technology for displaying visual information,such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), one or more organiclight emitting diode (OLEDs), a liquid crystal display (LCD) display, aplasma display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT) display. It should be notedthat although the visual device 130 is illustrated herein as beingcoupled to the durable housing 102, the visual device 130 can also be anexternal visual output or display coupled to or in communication withthe durable housing 102, such as a display on a hand held blood glucosemeter, for example.

The base plate detection system 122 can also include the tactile device132, which can be in communication with the processor 138. The tactiledevice 132 can output a tactile alert to the user upon coupling of thebase plate 104 to the durable housing 102. An exemplary tactile alertcan comprise a vibration. In one example, the tactile device 132 cancomprise any suitable technology for generating a vibration, such as amotor that drives a gear having an offset weight as known in the art.Further, although the tactile device 132 is illustrated herein as beinginternal to the durable housing 102, the tactile device 132 can also bean external tactile output device coupled to or in communication withthe durable housing 102, such as a tactile output device associated witha hand held blood glucose meter, for example.

The data store 134 can be in communication with the processor 138 tostore data. Although the data store 134 is illustrated and describedherein as being separate and discrete from the memory device 140, thedata store 134 can be part of the memory device 140, if desired. Thedata store 134 can store at least one look-up table, which can beaccessed by the processor 138 to assist in determining if the base plate104 is coupled to the durable housing 102.

The sensor 136 can comprise any suitable sensor that can observe amagnetic field emitted by the first magnetic source 112 and generatesensor signals based on the observed conditions. In one example, thesensor 136 can comprise a single sensor, which can detect the strengthand direction of the magnetic field generated by the first magneticsource 112. For example, the sensor 136 can comprise a magnetic anglesensor, however, the sensor 136 can include, but is not limited to, areed switch or a Hall effect sensor. In this example, the sensor 136 canobserve the magnetic field emitted by the first magnetic source 112 thatis incident on a central plane of the sensor 136 and can generate sensorsignals based on the angle of the magnetic field relative to the sensor136. In one embodiment, the sensor 136 can have two bridges, forexample, Wheatstone bridges, which can be used to observe the angle ofthe magnetic field. Generally, the sensor signals can be converted toanalog-to-digital counts (ADC), which can be read and interpreted by theprocessor 138. It should be noted that the use of ADC is merelyexemplary, as the processor 138 could read and interpret analog signalsfrom the sensor 136, if desired.

The processor 138 according to one of various embodiments can executeone or more programs (i.e., running software) to perform various tasksor instructions encoded in the program(s). The processor 138 can be amicroprocessor, microcontroller, application specific integrated circuit(ASIC) or other suitable device as realized by those skilled in the art.Of course, the durable housing 102 can include multiple processors 138,working together or separately, as is also realized by those skilled inthe art. The processor 138 can also be in communication with the secondelectrical contact 116 b to receive the second voltage signal 144.

The memory device 140 is capable of storing data. The memory device 140can be random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory,a memory disk (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, or an optical disk), orother suitable device as realized by those skilled in the art. In theillustrated exemplary embodiment, the memory device 140 can be incommunication with the processor 138 and stores the program(s) executedby the processor 138. Those skilled in the art realize that the memorydevice 140 can be an integral part of the processor 138. Furthermore,those skilled in the art realize that the durable housing 102 caninclude multiple memory devices 140.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a dataflow diagram illustrates variousembodiments of the base plate detection system 122 that may be embeddedwithin a control module 200 and performed by the processor 138 (FIG. 4).Various embodiments of the base plate detection system 122 according tothe present disclosure can include any number of sub-modules embeddedwithin the control module 200. As can be appreciated, the sub-modulesshown in FIG. 5 can be combined and/or further partitioned to determinewhether the base plate 104 is coupled to the durable housing 102. Inputsto the system may be sensed by the durable housing 102 (FIG. 1),received from other control modules (not shown), and/ordetermined/modeled by other sub-modules (not shown) within the controlmodule 200. In various embodiments, the control module 200 can include acontact control module 202, a timer control module 204, and an alignmentcontrol module 206.

The contact control module 202 can receive as input the fourth voltagesignal 148, the second voltage signal 144 and time data 208. Based onthe fourth voltage signal 148, the second voltage signal 144 and thetime data 208, the contact control module 202 can output contact pulsedata 210. In addition, based on the fourth voltage signal 148, thesecond voltage signal 144 and the time data 208, the contact controlmodule 202 can set interrupt time data 212 for the timer control module204 and contact data 214 for the alignment control module 206. The timedata 208 can comprise an amount of time that has passed since theinitial contact between the durable housing 102 and base plate 104. Inother words, the time data 208 can comprise the amount of time that haspassed since at least one of the first voltage signal 142 and the thirdvoltage signal 146 changed state (e.g. from a high voltage signal to alow voltage signal or a low voltage signal to a high voltage signal).The contact pulse data 210 can comprise a signal to transmit a voltagepulse to the electrical contacts 116. The voltage pulse can be used toconfirm that the base plate 104 is coupled to the durable housing 102.

In this regard, upon receipt of the voltage pulse, the state of thefourth voltage signal 148 and second voltage signal 144 can be detectedby the contact control module 202. Based on the state of the fourthvoltage signal 148 and second voltage signal 144 after the voltagepulse, the contact control module 202 can determine if the shortingmechanism 110 of the base plate 104 has made contact with the selectedelectrical contacts 116 of the durable housing 102. The contact data 214can comprise data that indicates whether electrical contact has beenmade between the durable housing 102 and base plate 104. The contactdata 214 can be obtained from a look-up table stored on the data store134 and accessed by the contact control module 202 based on the fourthvoltage signal 148 and second voltage signal 144, if desired. Theinterrupt time data 212 can comprise a signal to the timer controlmodule 204 to start a timer. The timer can measure the amount of timethat has passed since the initial contact between the durable housing102 and the base plate 104. The timer control module 204 can receive asinput the interrupt time data 212. Based on the interrupt time data 212,the timer control module 204 can set the time data 208.

The alignment control module 206 can receive as input the contact data214, time data 208, sensor data 216 and calibrated data 218. The sensordata 216 can comprise data from the sensor 136. For example, the sensordata 216 can include the strength and/or direction of a magnetic field.In one example, the sensor data 216 can comprise an angle of themagnetic field relative to the sensor 136. The calibrated data 218 cancomprise data that can indicate if the sensor data 216 has observed amagnetic field based on calibrated sensor data, which can be obtainedfrom a look-up table stored in the data store 134.

In this regard, the output of the sensor 136 can be affected by severalfactors. The calibrated sensor data can include original calibrationdata for the sensor 136 based on observations of the sensor 136 inresponse to a magnetic field in a controlled environment, such as duringthe manufacture of the sensor 136, and can also include storedcalibration data for the sensor 136 based on observations of the sensor136 in response to a magnetic field when the sensor 136 is affected bycertain environmental conditions, such as, temperature. As will bediscussed, the sensor data 216 can be compared to the calibrated sensordata to determine if the magnetic field is present, which can be set ascalibrated data 218.

Based on the contact data 214, time data 208, sensor data 216 andcalibrated data 218, the alignment control module 206 can set averagesensor data 220 for the data store 134, and can output connection data224 and error data 226. The average sensor data 220 can comprise anaverage of the sensor data 216 obtained from the sensor 136 apreselected number of times. For example, the sensor 136 can be sampledfrom about 5 to about 20 times and the sensor data 216 obtained eachtime can be averaged to generate the average sensor data 220. Based onthe average sensor data 220, the alignment control module 206 can accessthe look-up table in the data store 134 to compare the average sensordata 220 to calibrated sensor data. In one example, the sensor data 216can indicate that a magnetic field is present if one bridge of thesensor 136 generates signals between about 100 and about 200 ADC and theother bridge of the sensor 136 generates signals between about 400 andabout 800 ADC, which are acceptable ranges for sensor data 216 when amagnetic field is present based on the calibrated sensor data.

The connection data 224 can include data that indicates whether the baseplate 104 is coupled to the durable housing 102, which can be output toone or more of the audible device 128, visual device 130 and tactiledevice 132, if desired. The error data 226 can include data to notifythe user that the base plate 104 is not coupled to the durable housing102, which can be output to one or more of the audible device 128,visual device 130 and tactile device 132.

Referring now to FIG. 6, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, aflowchart illustrates a control method that can be performed by thecontrol module 200 of FIG. 5 in accordance with the present disclosure.As can be appreciated in light of the disclosure, the order of operationwithin the method is not limited to the sequential execution asillustrated in FIG. 6, but may be performed in one or more varyingorders as applicable and in accordance with the present disclosure.

In various embodiments, the method can be scheduled to run based onpredetermined events, and/or can run continually during operation of thefluid infusion device 100. In one example, the method of FIG. 6 can runwhen there is a change in the state of one or more of the electricalcontacts 116. For example, the method can run if at least one of thefirst electrical contact 116 a and third electrical contact 116 c haschanged state from a high voltage signal to a low voltage signal. Forthe sake of the below description, this will be considered the initialstate change. Upon the initial state change, the method can begin at300.

At 302, the method can determine if the state of at least one of thefirst electrical contact 116 a and third electrical contact 116 c haschanged from a low voltage signal to a high voltage signal, by checkingan output of the comparator circuit 124, for example. If the state ofthe first electrical contact 116 a and third electrical contact 116 chas changed, then the method can loop. Otherwise, the method can go to304. At 304, the method can determine if the time elapsed since theinitial state change is greater than a predetermined time constant t.For example, t can range from about 50 milliseconds to about 150milliseconds. If the time elapsed is greater than t, then the method cango to 306. Otherwise, the method can loop to 302. Thus, 304 can ensurethat the fourth voltage signal from the comparator circuit 124 isstable, and can act as a debounce check for the shorting mechanism 110of the base plate 104.

At 306, the method can output the contact pulse data 210, which caninclude a voltage pulse, to the electrical contacts 116. The voltagepulse can be output over a specified duration of time, such as about 0.5milliseconds to about 2 milliseconds. At 308, the method can check thestate of the fourth voltage signal 148 and second voltage signal 144. At310, the method can determine if the fourth voltage signal 148 is a lowvoltage signal and the second voltage signal 144 is a high voltagesignal. If the fourth voltage signal 148 is a low voltage signal and thesecond voltage signal 144 is a high voltage signal, the method can go to312. Otherwise, at 314, the method can determine if the fourth voltagesignal 148 is a high voltage signal and the second voltage signal 144 isa high signal. If the fourth voltage signal 148 is a high voltage signaland the second voltage signal 144 is a high voltage signal, then themethod can go to 312. Otherwise, the method can go to 316. At 316, themethod can output the connection data 224, which can indicate that thebase plate 104 is not coupled to the durable housing 102. At 318, themethod can output error data 226 to one or more of the audible device128, visual device 130 and tactile device 132 to notify the user thatthe base plate 104 is not coupled to the durable housing 102. Then, themethod ends.

At 312, the method can sample the sensor 136. In one example, the methodcan acquire sensor data 216 from the sensor 136 from about 5 to about 20times. The sensor 136 can be sampled at any given frequency, such asfrom about 0.5 kilohertz to 1.5 kilohertz. At 320, the method canaverage the sensor data 216. In one example, the method can average thesensor data 216 using an averaging filter. At 322, the method can accessthe look-up table stored in the data store 134, and can compare thesensor data 216 to the calibrated data 218 from the look-up table. At324, the method can determine if the sensor data 216 is within anacceptable range for the sensor data 216 based on the calibrated sensordata. If the sensor data 216 is within the acceptable range, then themethod can go to 326. For example, if the first bridge of the sensor 136generates signals between about 100 and about 200 ADC and the secondbridge of the sensor 136 generates signals between about 400 and about800 ADC, then using the calibrated data 218, the method can determinethat the magnetic field is present. Otherwise, the method can go to 328.At 326, the method can output connection data 224, which can indicatethat the base plate 104 is coupled to the durable housing 102. Theconnection data 224 can be output to one or more of the audible device128, visual device 130 and tactile device 132, if desired. Then, themethod ends.

At 328, the method can determine if the sampling of the sensor 136 hasalready been retried. If the sampling of the sensor 136 has already beenretried, then the method goes to 316. Otherwise, at 330, the method candetermine if the fourth voltage signal 148 has changed states, from alow voltage signal to a high voltage signal, for example. If the fourthvoltage signal 148 has changed states, then the method can go to 302.

Otherwise, at 332, the method can determine based on the time data 208if the time that has elapsed since the initial state change is greaterthan a preselected time t₂. If the time that has elapsed is greater thanthe preselected time t₂, then the method can go to 312. In one example,the preselected time t₂ can range from about 400 milliseconds to 600milliseconds. Otherwise, the method loops to 330.

Referring now to FIG. 7, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, aflowchart illustrates a control method that can be performed by thecontrol module 200 of FIG. 5 in accordance with the present disclosure.As can be appreciated in light of the disclosure, the order of operationwithin the method is not limited to the sequential execution asillustrated in FIG. 7, but may be performed in one or more varyingorders as applicable and in accordance with the present disclosure.

In various embodiments, the method can be scheduled to run based onpredetermined events, and/or can run continually during operation of thefluid infusion device 100. In one example, the method of FIG. 7 can runwhen the connection data 224 indicates that the base plate 104 iscoupled to the durable housing 102 and there is a change in the state ofone or more of the electrical contacts 116. For example, the method canrun if the base plate 104 is coupled to the durable housing 102 and atleast one of the first electrical contact 116 a and third electricalcontact 116 c has changed state from a low voltage signal to a highvoltage signal. For the sake of the below description, this will beconsidered the initial state change. When the base plate 104 is coupledto the durable housing 102, upon the initial state change, the methodcan begin at 400.

At 402, the method can determine if the state of at least one of thefirst electrical contact 116 a and third electrical contact 116 c haschanged from a high voltage signal to a low voltage signal, by checkingan output of the comparator circuit 124, for example. If the state ofthe first electrical contact 116 a and third electrical contact 116 chas changed, then the method can loop. Otherwise, the method can go to404. At 404, the method can determine if the time elapsed since theinitial state change is greater than the predetermined time constant t.If the time elapsed is greater than t, then the method can go to 406.Otherwise, the method can loop to 402. Thus, 404 can ensure that thefourth voltage signal from the comparator circuit 124 is stable, and canact as a debounce check for the shorting mechanism 110 of the base plate104.

At 406, the method can sample the sensor 136. In one example, the methodcan acquire sensor data 216 from the sensor 136 from about 5 to about 20times. The sensor 136 can be sampled at any given frequency, such asfrom about 0.5 kilohertz to 1.5 kilohertz. At 408, the method canaverage the sensor data 216. In one example, the method can average thesensor data 216 using an averaging filter. At 410, the method can accessthe look-up table stored in the data store 134, and can compare thesensor data 216 to the calibrated data 218 from the look-up table. At412, the method can determine if the sensor data 216 is within anacceptable range for the sensor data 216 based on the calibrated sensordata. If the sensor data 216 is within the acceptable range, then themethod can go to 414. Otherwise, the method can go to 416. At 416, themethod can output connection data 224, which can indicate that the baseplate 104 is not coupled to the durable housing 102. Then, the methodends.

At 414, the method can determine if the sampling of the sensor 136 hasalready been retried. If the sampling of the sensor 136 has already beenretried, then the method goes to 418. Otherwise, at 420, the method candetermine if the fourth voltage signal 148 has changed states, from ahigh voltage signal to a low voltage signal, for example. If the fourthvoltage signal 148 has changed states, then the method can go to 402.

Otherwise, at 422, the method can determine based on the time data 208if the time that has elapsed since the initial state change is greaterthan the preselected time t₂. If the time that has elapsed is greaterthan the preselected time t₂, then the method can go to 406. Otherwise,the method loops to 420.

At 418, the method can determine if the position of the base plate 104has changed relative to the durable housing 102 based on sensor data216. In this regard, based on the strength and/or direction of themagnetic field sensed by the sensor 136, the method can determine if thebase plate 104 has moved relative to the durable housing 102. Forexample, when the base plate 104 is coupled to the durable housing 102,one bridge of the sensor 136 can observe and generate signals betweenabout 100 and about 200 ADC and the other bridge of the sensor 136 canobserve and generate signals between about 400 and about 800 ADC. Ifthere is a significant change in the signals generated from one or bothof the bridges of the sensor 136, along with a state change of at leastone of the first electrical contact 116 a and third electrical contact116 c, the method can determine that the base plate 104 has movedrelative to the durable housing 102. For example, if the signals fromone or both of the bridges have changed by about 100 ADC or more, thebase plate 104 can be determined to have moved relative to the durablehousing 102.

If the base plate 104 has moved, then the method goes to 416. Otherwise,at 424, the method determines to ignore subsequent changes in state ofthe fourth voltage signal 148 from a low voltage signal to a highvoltage signal. At 426, the method outputs the connection data 224,which indicates that the base plate 104 is coupled to the durablehousing 102. Then, the method ends.

Referring now to FIG. 8, and with continued reference to FIGS. 1-5, aflowchart illustrates a control method that can be performed by thecontrol module 200 of FIG. 5 in accordance with the present disclosure.As can be appreciated in light of the disclosure, the order of operationwithin the method is not limited to the sequential execution asillustrated in FIG. 8, but may be performed in one or more varyingorders as applicable and in accordance with the present disclosure.

In various embodiments, the method can be scheduled to run based onpredetermined events, and/or can run continually during operation of thefluid infusion device 100. In one example, the method of FIG. 8 can runwhen the connection data 224 indicates that the base plate 104 iscoupled to the durable housing 102 and there is a request to dispensefluid from the fluid reservoir 106. Checking that the base plate 104 isstill connected to the durable housing 102 prior to dispensing the fluidfrom the fluid reservoir 106 can ensure that the user is receiving thefluid. The method can begin at 500.

At 502, the method can sample the sensor 136. In one example, the methodcan acquire sensor data 216 from the sensor 136 from about 5 to about 20times. The sensor 136 can be sampled at any given frequency, such asfrom about 0.5 kilohertz to 1.5 kilohertz. At 504, the method canaverage the sensor data 216. In one example, the method can average thesensor data 216 using an averaging filter. At 506, the method can accessthe look-up table stored in the data store 134, and can compare thesensor data 216 to the calibrated data 218 from the look-up table. At508, the method can determine if the sensor data 216 is within anacceptable range for the sensor data 216 based on the calibrated sensordata. If the sensor data 216 is within the acceptable range, then themethod can go to 510. Otherwise, the method can go to 512. At 510, themethod can output connection data 224, which can indicate that the baseplate 104 is coupled to the durable housing 102. Then, the method ends.

At 512, the method can determine if the sampling of the sensor 136 hasalready been retried. If the sampling of the sensor 136 has already beenretried, then the method goes to 514. Otherwise, at 516, the method candetermine if the fourth voltage signal 148 has changed states, from alow voltage signal to a high voltage signal, for example. If the fourthvoltage signal 148 has changed states, then the method can go to B onFIG. 6.

Otherwise, at 518, the method can determine based on the time data 208if the time that has elapsed since the initial state change is greaterthan the preselected time t₂. If the time that has elapsed is greaterthan the preselected time t₂, then the method can go to 502. Otherwise,the method loops to 516.

At 514, the method can output connection data 224, which can indicatethat the base plate 104 is not coupled to the durable housing 102. At520, the method can output error data 226 to one or more of the audibledevice 128, visual device 130 and tactile device 132 to notify the userthat the base plate 104 is not coupled to the durable housing 102. Then,the method ends.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexemplary embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended tolimit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subjectmatter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description willprovide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map forimplementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should beunderstood that various changes can be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by theclaims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents atthe time of filing this patent application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for determining if a consumablecomponent is coupled to a durable component to enable dispersion of amedicine, comprising: determining if a signal from an electrical contactcoupled to the durable component has changed an electrical state;comparing the signal to a reference signal from a second electricalcomponent coupled to the durable component; if the signal is differentthan the reference signal, sampling a sensor coupled to the durablecomponent to acquire sensor data indicative of a magnetic field observedby the sensor; and outputting data that the consumable component iscoupled to the durable component if the signal is different than thereference signal, and the sensor data is within an acceptable range. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: comparing the signal from theelectrical contact to a second signal from a third electrical contactcoupled to the durable component to generate a third signal; andcomparing the third signal to the reference signal.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising: if the third signal is different than thereference signal, sampling the sensor coupled to the durable componentto acquire sensor data indicative of the magnetic field observed by thesensor; and outputting data that the consumable component is coupled tothe durable component if the third signal is different than thereference signal, and the sensor data is within an acceptable range. 4.The method of claim 3, further comprising: outputting data that theconsumable component is not coupled to the durable component if thethird signal is different than the reference signal, and the sensor datais outside an acceptable range.
 5. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising: resampling the sensor after a preselected time interval ifthe sensor data is outside of the acceptable range.
 6. The method ofclaim 4, wherein outputting data that the consumable component is notcoupled to the durable component further comprises: outputting errordata to a visual device, audible device, tactile device and combinationsthereof.
 7. The method of claim 2, further comprising: if the thirdsignal is substantially the same as the reference signal, sampling thesensor coupled to the durable component to acquire sensor dataindicative of the magnetic field observed by the sensor; and outputtingdata that the consumable component is coupled to the durable componentif the third signal is substantially the same as the reference signal,and the sensor data is within an acceptable range.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising: outputting data that the consumablecomponent is not coupled to the durable component if the third signal isdifferent than the reference signal, and the sensor data is outside anacceptable range.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the durablecomponent is an insulin infusion device having a fluid reservoir forholding insulin and the consumable component is a base plate, with thebase plate cooperating with the insulin infusion device to enabledispersion of the insulin.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereindetermining if the signal from the electrical contact coupled to thedurable component has changed electrical state further comprises:determining if the signal from the electrical contact has changedelectrical state prior to dispensing insulin from the fluid reservoir.11. A method for determining if a consumable component is coupled to adurable component to enable dispersion of a medicine, comprising:comparing a first signal from a first electrical contact coupled to thedurable component and a second signal from a second electrical contactcoupled to the durable component to a reference signal from a thirdelectrical contact coupled to the durable component to determine if theconsumable component has contacted the durable component; if at leastone of the first signal and the second signal has changed electricalstate while the reference signal has remained substantially the same,sampling a sensor coupled to the durable component to acquire sensordata indicative of a magnetic field emitted by a magnetic source on theconsumable component; comparing the acquired sensor data to calibratedsensor data; and outputting data that a consumable component is coupledto the durable component if at least one of the first signal and thesecond signal has changed electrical states and the acquired sensor datais within an acceptable range based on the calibrated sensor data. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein comparing the first signal and thesecond signal further comprises: using a comparator to compare the firstsignal and the second signal, the output of the comparator being a thirdsignal; and comparing the third signal to the reference signal.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, wherein outputting data that a consumable componentis coupled to the durable component further comprises: outputtingconnection data that indicates that the consumable component is coupledto the durable component if the first signal changed from a high voltagesignal to a low voltage signal, the second signal changed from a highvoltage signal to a low voltage signal and the reference signal is ahigh voltage signal.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein determiningcalibrated sensor data based on the acquired sensor data furthercomprises: averaging the sensor data sampled over a preselected numberof times; and accessing a look-up table stored on a data store tocompare the average sensor data to the calibrated sensor data.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: determining if a position of theconsumable component relative to the consumable component has changed ifthe average sensor data is outside the acceptable range based on thecalibrated sensor data and the sampling of the sensor has been retried.16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: outputting connectiondata that indicates that the consumable component is coupled to thedurable component if the position of the consumable component has notchanged.
 17. A method for determining if a consumable component iscoupled to a durable component to enable dispersion of a medicine,comprising: determining that a signal from a first electrical contactcoupled to the durable component has changed an electrical state;comparing the signal to a reference signal from a second electricalcontact coupled to the durable component; determining that the signal isdifferent than the reference signal; sampling a sensor coupled to thedurable component to acquire sensor data indicative of a magnetic fieldobserved by the sensor based on the determination that the signal isdifferent than the reference signal; determining that the sensor data iswithin an acceptable range; and outputting data that the consumablecomponent is coupled to the durable component based on the determinationthat the signal is different than the reference signal and the sensordata is within the acceptable range, wherein the durable component is aninsulin infusion device having a fluid reservoir for holding insulin andthe consumable component is a base plate, with the base platecooperating with the insulin infusion device to enable dispersion of theinsulin.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining that the signalfrom the electrical contact coupled to the durable component has changedelectrical state further comprises: determining that the signal from thefirst electrical contact has changed electrical state prior todispensing insulin from the fluid reservoir.
 19. The method of claim 17,further comprising: comparing the signal from the first electricalcontact to a second signal from a third electrical contact coupled tothe durable component to generate a third signal; and comparing thethird signal to the reference signal.
 20. The method of claim 17,further comprising: outputting data that the consumable component is notcoupled to the durable component based on the comparison of the thirdsignal to the reference signal and the sensor data.